What You Need​​ to Know: West Coast Health Alliance continues to recommend vaccination in alignment with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.

On January 5, 2026, the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed a decision memorand​um (PDF) to revise the Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule and significantly reduce the number of vaccinations routinely recommended for all U.S. children. This decision did not follow established procedure for vaccine policy recommendations and threatens an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases in children nationwide. Children getting sick from the diseases prevented by recommended immunizations leads to missed school for children, missed work for parents, and even hospitalization and death in some children.

The current American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule (PDF) is based on established vaccine safety and effectiveness evidence​. AAP recommendations consider:

• When children are most vulnerable to diseases;
• When vaccines work best with children’s immune systems;
• The safety of vaccinations being recommended;
• The risk of diseases in the United States;
• Our current access to health care and immunizations: and
• Cost effectiveness of implementing national recommendations for a particular vaccination.

While the first three concerns are similar across countries, the last three concerns may differ considerably between countries. The AAP recommended immunization schedule serves as a starting point for discussions between families and their providers, as it always has. Parents should continue to make informed decisions about the vaccines that their children receive based on discussions with their child’s health care provider.  

Prior to 2025, AAP had endorsed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which followed a rigorous review of data on risk of disease and safety of vaccination in the United States. Changes in the newly released recommended immunization schedule are not based on changes in vaccine safety and effectiveness data. The changes were based on a comparison of the number of routine vaccinations recommended in the United States versus select other countries. It did not consider the different conditions in each country. These changes were also not vetted by experts from medical and public health organizations, health care providers, or the public before they were published. ​

We do not expect these changes to affect insurance coverage for vaccines for this plan year. All child and adolescent immunizations recommended as of December 31, 2025 will remain available and covered by public and private insurers however the changes create confusion and will put more children at risk of preventable diseases.  ​

The West Coast Health Alliance will continue to review available vaccine science and ensure continued access to recommended vaccines. Each state is examining the impact of these federal changes on vaccine access in our respective states. WCHA and AAP continue to support these longstanding recommendations including informed parental decisions for the best protection of their children. ​

Press Release: West Coast Health Alliance Recommends American Academy of Pediatrics Vaccine Schedule

Let’s be honest—parenting is one of the most rewarding and challenging jobs out there. There’s no manual, no one-size-fits-all approach, and every child is wonderfully unique. But one approach that’s consistently shown to help kids thrive emotionally, socially, and even academically is positive parenting.

So, what exactly is positive parenting?

At its core, positive parenting is about building a strong, respectful relationship with your child. It focuses on encouragement rather than punishment, guidance rather than control, and connection rather than correction. It’s not about being permissive or letting kids do whatever they want—it’s about setting clear boundaries while also nurturing their emotional needs.

Think of it like this: instead of saying, “Stop whining!” you might say, “I hear that you’re upset. Can you tell me what’s bothering you?” It’s a small shift, but it teaches kids that their feelings are valid and that they can express themselves in healthy ways.

Here are a few key principles of positive parenting:

1. Connection Comes First

Children are more likely to cooperate when they feel connected to their parents. That means spending quality time together, listening without distractions, and showing empathy. Even just 10 minutes of undivided attention a day can make a big difference.

2. Set Clear, Consistent Boundaries

Kids need structure—it helps them feel safe. Positive parenting doesn’t mean avoiding discipline; it means using discipline that teaches rather than punishes. For example, if a child throws a toy, instead of yelling, you might say, “Toys are for playing, not throwing. Let’s try that again.”

3. Encourage, Don’t Shame

Praise effort, not just results. Instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” try, “I saw how hard you worked on that puzzle!” This builds resilience and a growth mindset. And when mistakes happen (as they will), use them as learning opportunities rather than moments for shame.

4. Model the Behavior You Want to See

Kids are always watching. If you want them to be kind, respectful, and patient, show them what that looks like. That doesn’t mean being perfect—it means being honest, apologizing when you mess up, and showing how to handle emotions in healthy ways.

5. Stay Calm and Consistent

Easier said than done, right? But staying calm during tough moments helps your child regulate their own emotions. If you lose your cool (and we all do sometimes), it’s okay to pause, take a breath, and try again.

Positive parenting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present. It’s about guiding your child with love, understanding, and firm boundaries. And the best part? It strengthens your relationship with your child, helping them grow into confident, compassionate, and emotionally intelligent adults.

So next time you’re in the middle of a parenting challenge, take a deep breath and ask yourself: “How can I respond with connection and guidance?” You might be surprised at how powerful that shift can be.

Resources:

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program Orange County – An approach to parenting that gives tools and strategies for raising children in an environment that is safe, loving and predictable.

Every Parent OC - A local resource that provides important health information and community resources for young families.

Bright Life Kids – A CalHOPE program by Brightline that offers free personalized support for California families.

Soluna – Free resources and support for California youth and young adults age 13-25.

About Dr. Lauren Schooner

Dr. Lauren Schooner is a Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and is the treating psychiatrist at the Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) and at the Clinical Evaluation and Guidance Unit (CEGU) at the Juvenile Hall for the OC Health Care Agency. She works with various community programs including the Human Trafficking Subcommittee and holds a position on the Child Maltreatment and Violence Committee through the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists (AACAP). She also regularly teaches and supervises physicians-in-training in the fields of child and adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, pediatrics and family medicine about topics and themes related to mental health along the entire life spectrum. 

Seasonal influenza activity in California is increasing with influenza A(H3N2) comprising the majority of currently circulating specimens. A newly emerged virus strain, H3N2 subclade K, is circulating globally and is now present in California. This strain is antigenically drifted from the H3N2 component of the 2025–26 seasonal influenza vaccine formulation and has been associated with earlier waves of influenza outbreaks in Canada, Japan, and the UK.

Key Messages​​​

• Influenza cases and hospital admissions are increasing in California. A newly emerged influenza A virus strain, H3N2 subclade K, is circulating globally, including in California. The majority of influenza A specimens subtyped in California are H3N2. Current influenza vaccines are still expected to offer protection against severe disease.
• Administer 2025-26 influenza vaccine to anyone 6 months of age and older who has not yet received it.
• Test symptomatic patients as quickly as possible. Use rapid molecular (nucleic acid amplification detection) tests for outpatients, and RT-PCR and other influenza molecular tests for hospitalized patients to confirm diagnosis and guide timely treatment. Influenza A positive hospitalized patients, especially those in the ICU, should have specimens sent for subtyping.
• Initiate antiviral treatment without delay and ideally at point of care. Do not delay treatment while waiting for test results if influenza is suspected in high-risk patients. Treat immediately with oseltamivir or single-dose baloxavir based on recommendations for use. Treatment with influenza antivirals decreases the risk of serious illness and hospitalization in those at higher risk for severe disease.
• Stay aware of respiratory virus activity in your community by visiting Orange County Respiratory Virus Data or CDPH Respiratory Virus Dashboard this respiratory season. 

Advisory: Influenza Update: Vaccinate, Test, and Administer Influenza Antivirals

Resources: Orange County Respiratory Virus Data

CDPH is closely monitoring the increase in hospitalizations of Californians who have consumed foraged toxic mushrooms (death cap mushrooms, Amanita phalloides). Between mid-November and early December 2025, the California Poison Control System identified twenty-one cases of Amanita phalloides poisoning among persons who had consumed foraged wild mushrooms. As of December 5, 2025, twenty-one individuals who sought medical attention reported adverse effects, including acute liver injury and liver failure. Several patients have required admission to an intensive care unit, with one confirmed adult death to date. No cases been have identified in Orange County to date.

 Health care providers should be aware of the potential for multiphase toxicity following wild mushroom ingestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms mimicking viral gastroenteritis can occur within 6 to 24 hours and typically resolve within 24 hours. This improvement can create a false impression of recovery as patients may still progress to potentially fatal hepatotoxicity within 48 to 96 hours after ingestion. Contact California Poison Control System at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance on diagnosing and treating patients with suspected mushroom poisoning.

 Advisory: Outbreak of Potentially Deadly Amatoxin Poisoning Linked to the Consumption of Wild, Foraged Mushrooms

CDPH Resource: Poisonous Wild Mushrooms

Key mess​​ages:

• Cases of Neisseria meningitidis have been reported among Orange County residents recently.
• REMINDER: Due to the detection of ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of Neisseria meningitidis nationally, including in Southern California, public health and medical providers in California are recommended to discontinue the use of ciprofloxacin for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
• Rifampin, ceftriaxone or azithromycin are recommended options for IMD PEP in California.
• No changes to empiric treatment of IMD are recommended at this time.

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